Distribution of the much talked about $100,000 cash grant began yesterday in Lethem, Region 9 and was spearheaded by Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Minister of Local Govern-ment and Regional Deve-lopment Sonia Parag.
A release from the Prime Minister’s office said that over the coming days, approximately 4,000 cheques are expected to be distributed. At the end of the distribution, it is anticipated that approximately 14,000 cheques will be distributed to residents across the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo region.
In an interview with Stabroek News yesterday, Chairman of Region 9, Bryan Allicock said that the distribution process had a smooth start. He said that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo informed him that an additional 500 envelopes, each containing $100,000, are expected in the region within the week. In the meantime, 400 were sent out yesterday.
According to Allicock the distribution is proceeding according to registration lists. This approach has minimized issues so far, and the process is expected to continue until Friday.
Jagdeo yesterday told Stabroek News that people in remote areas will have access to their funds without the need for direct cash distribution from the government.
“Those people have to go and collect their cheques in the villages in which they’re distributing, so if you, for example, live there, you collect your cheque now, you sign for it, but … to receive money now, you have to encash the cheque”, the VP said.
Government is facilitating the process to make it easier for residents in areas without banks, but there will be no direct cash sent from the government.
The PM visited three main distribution sites: the Tabatinga Sports Complex, Nappi Village, and Hiawa Village. At the same time, distribution was taking place throughout the region.
In the community of Nappi, the Department of Public Information said that the Prime Minister reminded the residents that the government has maintained its position on transparent usage of the money earned from oil resources.
“There has been an…increase in our revenue and we had to set up what we call a Natural Resource Fund. That fund is managed in a manner that is transparent, in keeping with international regulations [and] good practices. What we are doing as a government is utilizing the money from that fund to improve the lives and livelihood of the people throughout the length and breadth of Guyana,” the Prime Minister posited.
East Coast of Demerara
Meanwhile, the registration process for the $100,000 cash grant for Guyanese aged 18 and over commenced yesterday in several villages along the East Coast of Demerara. This follows the registration of pensioners which began on Monday. Public servants are registering at their place of employment.
According to a government notice, registration in parts of Georgetown and the East Coast of Demerara began yesterday at designated sites. Additional sites for Georgetown, the East Coast, and the East Bank of Demerara will be announced soon.
A visit by Stabroek News to several East Coast sites revealed long lines of individuals waiting to register. Many expressed frustration over unclear start times. At some locations, residents only discovered that the registration would start at 3:30 p.m. upon their arrival.
Pensioners and other residents yesterday shared their thoughts on the cash grant.
“I’m 90 years old, and the rising cost of living makes $100,000 feel like nothing,” one pensioner remarked. “Most of it will go towards bills and taxi fares because I can’t use public transportation. I also have a handicapped daughter, and we are struggling to make ends meet with our current income.”
One young man said, “I’m thinking of buying pigs to start a small business. Even though I have a 9-to-5 job, having an extra income in these times is necessary.”
Currently, registration is ongoing at the Enmore Community Centre, Haslington Nursery School, Enterprise Primary School, and Melanie Nursery School. A volunteer at one site shared that 75 individuals had been registered between 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The volunteer added, “Yesterday (Monday), we registered 1,022 persons across the Haslington Centre, Golden Grove, and Enmore Primary School. This morning’s turnout was initially low due to heavy rain, but more people arrived once the rain stopped.”
In terms of accommodations for the weather, the volunteer noted that the headmistress of one school provided a building, and volunteers arranged chairs for the registrants.
Last week during his weekly press conference, Jagdeo acknowledged that while the government is working to accelerate the process, not all recipients will receive the grant before Christmas. Pensioners and public servants are being prioritized this year, followed by other registered citizens.
Approximately 300,000 Guyanese are expected to benefit from the cash grant by the end of 2024. Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh emphasised that only registered individuals will receive the grant and urged eligible citizens to register promptly. The government recently sought $30.5 billion in supplementary funding from Parliament, which will cover grants for half of those eligible. The remaining grants are expected to be distributed next year.
The PM’s office said that the $100,000 one-off cash grant initiative involves a four-step process, starting with a registration exercise where each community is provided with a registration schedule. Technical teams, equipped with pre-programmed tablets, are dispatched to gather data from residents. The second stage involves verifying registrants, followed by the preparation of cheques, and finally, their distribution to eligible citizens aged 18 and above.
In an address to Parliament in October, President Irfaan Ali announced a $200,000 cash grant to each household but changed this days later to $100,000 to each adult. Since then, there has been widely conflicting information from the government on when the payout would be made to the roughly 600,000 persons.
Pensioners and public servants have been given priority and it has been projected that 300,000 persons could receive the payout before the end of the year. The remainder would them have to wait for the presentation of the 2025 budget.